The NASA Science, Technology and Exploration Program (NASA STEP) is a
two-week training program in Astrobiology, focused on informal education
and hands-on activities in science research and space technology. The
program is offered to high school students and their teachers, has begun
in the summer of 2009 and will continue through 2011.

Astrobiology is the perfect tool to bring together all aspects of space
exploration: it is a multidisciplinary field requiring broad understanding
of the underlying scientific disciplines (physics, chemistry, biology,
geology). Astrobiology exploration on Earth and beyond, often in extreme
environments, also involves robotics, advanced technology and state-of-the-art
instrumentation.

Designed around a mission-building concept, NASA STEP consists of a series
of science and engineering discovery discussions, hands-on exploration
activities and local and virtual field trips with the background theme
of participating in a robotic mission to Mars to search for traces of
life.

The program offers direct interaction with scientists and engineers through
access to on-going investigations and mission planning at NASA Ames Research
Center and associated fieldwork. It exercises collaborative and team-building
skills among all participants - students, teachers and practicing scientists.

The current program for 2011 will support twenty-four students and six
teachers from six local high schools (team of 4 students and 1 teacher).
Every day NASA STEP attendees participate in short, guided Science Discovery
Lectures related to life sciences, biophysics, planetary sciences and
space exploration. Engineering Discovery Lectures will provide students
with a broad overview of the many aspects of space technology, including
satellites, spacecrafts, mission planning, robotics, instrumentation,
etc.

The activities at NASA Ames are complemented by a weekend-long field
trip to Lassen Volcanic National
Park, designed to directly involve the students in the research and
engineering in extreme environments used as analogs to planetary conditions.
The field experience is a key part of the program, following and exemplifying
the exploratory activities in the laboratory.

The engineering component includes robotics and programming workshops
followed by a student robotics challenge, and a rocketry workshop concluded
with a student rocket launch along with LUNAR
at NASA Ames.

A primary goal of NASA STEP is to exploit NASA's unique position to provide
a top-notch training program and thereby engage and motivate young students
to choose science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-oriented
careers. Along with the students, the teachers receive professional training
directly from scientists and engineers involved in research and mission
design. The participants become NASA ambassadors for public awareness
and support for space activities and exploration.